In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Paul and Garrett explore how to offer financial help to others—particularly family members—without compromising your own stability. They discuss the emotional and practical aspects of giving, sharing cautionary tales and personal anecdotes. The conversation includes strategies for standing on solid financial ground before offering assistance, alternative non-monetary ways to support loved ones, and the importance of boundaries to avoid enabling irresponsible behavior. Tune in for practical tips on generous giving that preserves your financial health.

Key Points From This Episode

● Why it’s important to be financially secure before helping others

● The difference between giving out of support versus guilt or emotional obligation

● Common pitfalls when helping family members with money

● The role of emergency funds and debt management in financial preparedness

● Strategies for long-term planning to assist children or loved ones

● Creating dedicated “giving” funds for spontaneous or future generosity

● The risk of get-rich-quick schemes disguised as charitable intentions

● Ideas for helping others through non-monetary support

● Structuring financial assistance as loans or matched savings

● Balancing generosity with the responsibility to avoid enabling others

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Useful Links

Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Paul and Garrett explore when and why it might be time to revise your financial goals. They discuss the importance of flexibility in financial planning and identify key moments that could prompt change—such as life transitions, shifting values, or changes in market conditions. They also stress the importance of avoiding knee-jerk reactions, regularly reassessing your goals, and focusing on one priority at a time. Whether you're ahead of schedule or facing unexpected obstacles, Paul and Garrett provide guidance on how to thoughtfully adapt your financial plan.

Key Points From This Episode

● Recognizing life events that may trigger financial goal adjustments.

● The importance of setting flexible goals from the outset.

● Real-world examples of goals evolving with career and family changes.

● How shifting values can impact long-term financial planning.

● The role of external factors like job loss, tax policy, and market changes.

● Avoiding overreactions to short-term events or “false alarms.”

● Regularly revisiting goals to assess progress and course-correct.

● Differentiating between short-, medium-, and long-term goals.

● Looking backward to refine future goal-setting.

● Focusing on one priority at a time to reduce overwhelm.

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Useful Links

Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners

In this episode of Your Investment Partners, hosts Garrett and Paul explore security-backed lending—how it works, when it makes sense, and the risks involved. They discuss the strategy often referred to as "buy, borrow, die," highlighting how high-net-worth individuals leverage their investment portfolios for liquidity without triggering taxable events. The conversation covers practical use cases, including funding real estate purchases, managing cash flow for businesses, and handling large expenses efficiently. They also outline the key limitations, such as restrictions on IRA accounts and the risks of margin calls. Whether you’re an investor with a concentrated stock position or simply looking for financial flexibility, this episode provides valuable insights into using investment assets strategically.

Key Points From This Episode

• What security-backed lending is and how it works
• Common misconceptions around "buy, borrow, die"
• How wealthy individuals use investment portfolios for liquidity
• When security-backed loans make financial sense
• The risks involved, including market volatility and margin calls
• Why these loans cannot be used with IRA or 401(k) funds
• Scenarios where a security-backed credit line can be beneficial
• How business owners can leverage these loans for operations
• Practical considerations for setting up and managing a credit line

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Useful Links

Garrett on LinkedIn

Paul on LinkedIn

Ascend Investment Partners